one to one: Lessons about life, ministry, and grandkids

by Keith Burden, Executive Secretary, National Association of Free Will Baptists

Confessions of a Convention Rookie

I attended my first Free Will Baptist national convention in July 1974 at Wichita, Kansas. I was a student at Hillsdale College, and my wife and I served as volunteer youth leaders in the church her father pastored.

We tackled the ambitious goal of transporting several students to the convention. We wanted them to experience this unique event. Sponsors were enlisted, arrangements made for time off from work, and fundraisers scheduled. To ensure a memorable experience for the teens and to save money, we decided to travel together in the old 66-passenger church bus.

After the Sunday morning service at our Oklahoma City church, we loaded the young folks with their mountain of luggage and embarked on the two-and-a-half hour trip to Wichita. Somewhere near the halfway point of the journey, the engine in the bus backfired and began making a horrendous noise. Although I was not a mechanic, I knew we had big problems. In minutes we found ourselves broken down on the shoulder of the road.

The temperature topped out at over 100° that afternoon, and we had to come up with Plan B quickly. After making arrangements to have the bus towed and repaired in a neighboring community, we sent sponsors back home to secure alternate transportation. (Remember, this was long before cell phones.)

In the meantime, many other Free Will Baptists were traveling that stretch of interstate on their way to the convention. Several stopped and offered assistance. Thankfully, with their help, we managed to “farm out” the teens and their luggage and get them safely to Wichita. Because of the delay, however, we missed the Sunday evening youth service.

Upon arrival, I quickly rounded up members of the youth group. They were scattered throughout several downtown hotel lobbies. In my haste, as I ran across a busy intersection, I fell and tore the knee out of my only suit. It was a long, frustrating day.

Just when we thought things couldn’t get more wacky, they did. At the conclusion of an evening service, we walked outside to be greeted by a group of “streakers.” (This was the 1970s.) The police swiftly whisked them away, but not before our young teens had an “eye-opening” experience. Unbelievable!

In spite of everything that went wrong that week, we enjoyed many positive, memorable experiences. I remember the thrill of lifting my voice with thousands during congregational singing. I was amazed at the talent I heard from those who provided special music. I sat spellbound listening to gifted communicators preach the Word of God. I made friendships that endure to this day. I was hooked.

Each year, thousands of Free Will Baptists take vacation time, raise funds, and bring families and youth groups to the national convention. I appreciate their faithfulness, sacrifice, and effort to attend. For them it’s more than an event—it’s an investment. It’s a family reunion that involves singing, preaching, fellowship, business, and much more. In spite of my rough start, I’ve only missed one convention in 38 years. I hope you’ll join us this year in Memphis.

About the Column: One to One is a regular feature of ONE Magazine. Written by Keith Burden, executive secretary of the National Association of Free Will Baptists, the column explores life, ministry...and the joys of grandchildren.